EVERYBODY'S `TALKNBOUT' THIS ONE 3-YEAR-OLD COLT LOOKS TO MAKE SPLASH AT DERBY.Byline: Walter Hammerwold Staff Writer On the surface, Atswhatimtalknbout is the epitome of flair. His stunning looks and late-charging style have made him the media darling of the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, horse-racing circuit and a fan favorite heading into Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $750,000. . The 3-year-old colt, purchased on behalf of owner B. Wayne Hughes Bradley Wayne Hughes (born September 28, 1933 in Gotebo, Oklahoma) is the billionaire founder and chairman of Public Storage, the largest self-storage company in America. Known all his life by his middle name, B. at a 2-year-old training sale in Florida, has run only a handful of times. But his potential, and the fact he appears to have just started peaking, have horse-racing enthusiasts chomping at the bit. ``This horse, as soon as he broke his maiden, there's been a buzz about him,'' Ron Ellis Ronald John Edward Ellis (born January 8, 1945 in Lindsay, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs. , the horse's trainer, said. ``He's a nicely bred horse. He's so beautiful, and I think people can see that.'' Atswhatimtalknbout caused the buzz by rallying from last to win his maiden debut by a half-length Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Santa Anita may refer to:
The energy around ``Ats'' has even caused some of Hollywood's elite to take notice. Director Steven Spielberg Noun 1. Steven Spielberg - United States filmmaker (born in 1947) Spielberg and a consortium of filmmakers involved in the upcoming movie ``Seabiscuit'' recently purchased a minority interest in the horse. As Atswhatimtalknbout prepares for Saturday's Grade I Derby, many in the horse-racing community will be watching to see whether he has what it takes to earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby One of the classic U.S. Thoroughbred horse races. It was established in 1875 and run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Ky. With the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, it makes up U.S. racing's coveted Triple Crown. . Jockey David Flores Flores, town, Guatemala Flores (flōrəs), town (1990 est. pop. 2,200), capital of Petén department, N Guatemala. Flores was built on an island in the southern part of Lake Petén Itzá and on the site of the of Arcadia has the mount for Saturday's race. ``This horse will do anything we want him to do,'' Ellis said, ``and he's not slow. He doesn't have to come from far back. He won't, once we let him show more of his speed.'' Hughes gained his most promising acquisition before laying eyes on the colt. Hughes enlisted the aid of Arcadia-based Class Racing Stable for the Florida sale and sent handlers from his racing camp along with representatives of the company to check out the horse. The colt Hughes' crew saw in Florida had not fully grown into his body but already had the markings of a contender. ``Right now, he is the perfect-looking race horse,'' Bob Feld of Class Racing Stable said. ``Back then he was all legs, he looked like he was on stilts This article is about the poles. For the type of bird, see stilt. For other uses, see Stilts (disambiguation). Stilts are poles, posts or pillars used to allow a person or structure to stand at a certain distance above the ground. when he was a 2-year-old. It was the size and speed on his workouts that impressed us.'' Feld said he was impressed with the then-2-year-old's quickness and raw athleticism. Others in the group agreed. ``To most anyone that sees him, he's an eye-catcher,'' said Ellis, an Arcadia resident. ``But what attracted me was how he moved for a big horse. He's very athletic for a big horse.'' To date, Ats' biggest effort came in the San Felipe San Felipe (săn fəlē`pā), pueblo (1990 pop. 1,557), Sandoval co., N central N.Mex., on the Rio Grande; founded early 18th cent. The inhabitants are Pueblo of the Keresan linguistic family. Ceremonial dances are held there in spring and winter. , a 1 1/16-mile race where he just failed to beat Buddy Gil at the wire after unleashing a powerful closing surge in the final stages of the race. Ironically, the thundering comeback seemed to do more for the horse's reputation than a victory might have. ``I was impressed,'' said Seth Semkin, Hughes' ranch manager and part of the group that went to the Florida sale on Hughes' behalf. ``That seems to be what he wants to do, though. He's built to go distances, and the longer a race gets, the more it seems to favor him.'' Ats' sprint toward the finish line hinted at his potential over longer distances. He'll have an extra sixteenth of a mile to make up ground in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby and an extra three-sixteenths in Churchill Downs' 1 1/4-mile course if he runs in the Kentucky Derby on May 3. Ats' pedigree seems to back up his handlers' beliefs. The colt is a son of A.P. Indy A.P. Indy (born 1989) is a champion stallion Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky, USA, by William Farish III and William Kilroy. He is known for his ancestry, his own record, and his successful progeny. , a premier sire for distance horses and a grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew Seattle Slew (foaled 1974) U.S. Thoroughbred racehorse. He was the first unbeaten racer ever to win the Triple Crown (1977). In his racing career of 17 races, he won 14, was second twice, and fourth once. He was retired to stud in 1978. . Ellis contends Ats' build also will prove beneficial during the Santa Anita and Kentucky derbies. ``Kafwain, I have a lot of respect for Kafwain, but up to a mile or a mile and a sixteenth,'' Ellis said, comparing Ats to other Derby hopefuls. ``And I think that's the same with most of the other horses. ``This horse is built to go 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 miles. Over that distance, he's going to be hard to beat.'' The main criticism of the colt has been his lack of quality victories. Ats is 2-1-1 in four career starts and has earned only $119,120. The career earnings of the other top Derby prospects - Empire Maker, Kafwain and Peace Rules - are between $600,000 and $800,000. Should Ats win Saturday, most onlookers expect him to enter the Kentucky Derby as the No. 2 horse behind early favorite Empire Maker. Hughes, for his part, is eager to see whether his horse passes Saturday's test. Asked whether he thought the criticism was warranted, Hughes said: ``You should ask me right after the Santa Anita Derby CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Atswhatimtalknbout hasn't been in many races, but his performances have made him a top contender for the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. Associated Press Box: OUT OF THE GATE - Kevin Modesti |
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